Picture frame balloon

ABSTRACT

A two layer non-latex balloon in which a portion of the two layers is heat-sealed together to form a pocket which does not inflate. A slot made in a portion of the pocket allows items to be inserted. After inflation, the balloon appears to be a picture frame surrounding the item inserted in the pocket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/813,255, filed Jun. 12, 2006, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to non-latex balloons and more particularly to a non-latex balloon having a pocket for inserting a flat item, giving the impression of a framed picture.

Non-latex balloons have been popular for many years. Non-latex balloons, often referred to as metallized balloons, are characterized as balloons that are comprised of materials that have no elastic properties. Such materials include plastic, foil, mylar, and nylon. A variety of non-latex balloons have been made available to the public, including brightly colored, transparent, and even multi-layered balloons.

There is a need for a balloon of simple construction that provides a slot for inserting an item, preferably a flat item, so as to give the impression of a framed picture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a two layer non-latex balloon in which a portion of the two layers is heat-sealed together to form a pocket which does not inflate. A slot is made in a portion of the pocket to allow items to be inserted. After inflation, the balloon has the appearance of a picture frame surrounding the item enclosed in the pocket.

A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that an unique picture frame appearance is obtained by a balloon which is relatively inexpensive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the balloon of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken at approximately the lines 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detail of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is represented in the drawings as reference numeral 10.

The balloon 10 is constructed of two layers, 12 and 14, which are sealed around their balloon outer edges 15 to form the balloon.

A self-sealing valve 16 is heat-sealed to the inner surfaces of the layers 12 and 14.

A portion 18 of layer 12 is heat-sealed to a balloon inner edge portion 20 of layer 14 by heat-seal 22 to form an inflatable balloon cavity 23 and a centrally located enclosed pocket 24. As shown in the drawings, the pocket 24 is rectangular in shape, but other shapes may be formed by suitably heat-sealing the layers 12 and 14. Other sealing methods, as ultra-sound, are also suitable.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a slot 26 is made in the pocket 24 to allow for the insertion and removal of an item.

It will be recognized that, because the pocket 24 is sealed from the rest of the balloon 10, the pocket will not inflate as the balloon is inflated. Before, during, or after inflation of the balloon, an item I may be placed in the pocket through the slot 26. Examples of an item I may be a picture, card, sign, art, etc.

If it is desirable to replace item I, which may be a photograph, the balloon 10 may be deflated and item I can be removed from the pocket 24 through the slot 26, and another item may then be placed in the slot.

When inflated and with an item such as a photograph in the pocket 24, the balloon 10 gives the impression of a picture frame.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative. 

1. A non-latex inflatable picture frame balloon comprising: a) first and second layers each having balloon outer edges sealed together and centrally located balloon inner edges forming a peripheral inflatable balloon cavity; b) a centrally located pocket formed inwardly from the balloon by the first and second layers having an opening for insertion of an item; and c) a valve passing into the balloon cavity for balloon inflation.
 2. Claim 1, where the opening is a slot.
 3. Claim 1, where the valve passes into the cavity through the sealed outer edges.
 4. A non-latex inflatable picture frame balloon comprising: a) first and second layers each having balloon outer edges sealed together and centrally located balloon inner edges forming a peripheral inflatable balloon cavity; b) a centrally located pocket formed inwardly from the balloon by the first and second layers having a slot for insertion of an item; and c) a valve passing into the balloon cavity for balloon inflation.
 5. Claim 4, where the valve passes into the cavity through the sealed outer edges. 